By Ntombifuthi Buthelezi
Despite living with a disability that he received through illness when he was a child, Minenhle Zikhali stretches himself more than most students do. Education is important to this Umlazi native and that’s why he could easily shift to the Bachelor of Journalism degree after completing his Higher Certificate in Public Management. He graduated on 20 May and is already midway through his Bachelor of Journalism (Honours) at the Durban University of Technology(DUT).
He says the Honours has surpassed his expectations. “It is exactly the opposite of what I thought it was. I thought it would be too hard with everything being focused on academics but it’s actually quite interesting and fun. The lecturers are interactive.”
Minenhle says the university environment has built him a community that he didn’t have when he was younger. Because of the disability, he found himself being subjected to bullying in school. The change at university has even made him consider further studies.
“I want to further my education. Next year, I will hopefully be pursuing my Masters. I still need to decide what my major will be but at the moment, my five-year plan involves me being in academics.”
Minenhle believes mentorship is important in one’s journey. A key figure that he mentions in his acceptance of his disability is author and entrepreneur, Musa Zulu, who has also widely written and spoken about his disability.
